'Incredible accomplishment': Acton-Boxborough boys cross country third at All-States

After finishing fifth last week at the MIAA Division 1A all-state qualifier, the Acton-Boxborough boys cross-country team ran at the Division 1 All-State meet on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Wrentham Development Center. Acton-Boxborough placed third out of 23 teams, behind St. John’s Prep and Brookline.

The average time for the five scoring runners on the five-kilometer course was 16:17. Their total cumulative time was 121 minutes, 22 seconds, placing A-B third not only in Division 1, but third out of all 69 teams competing in the three divisional all-state races.

Placing first for A-B and 21st overall was junior Will Liu at 15:59. He was closely followed by senior captains Caleb Straayer (27th, 16:05) and Drew Richardson (31st, 16:09). Rounding out the scoring was junior Aeden Barnett (16:33) and Jeffry Li (16:34). Sophomores Kyle Verner (16:41) and Victor Li (17:14) also competed for A-B. The times run by Liu, Straayer, and Richardson break A-B's previous record for the Wrentham course: 16:13, set by Winston Thompson in 2019.

“I am so proud of what this team has achieved," coach Tim Malloy said. "This is an incredible accomplishment. Our five scoring runners each ran their best races of the season in the biggest race of the year. All their hard work throughout the summer and this season paid off when it mattered most.”

Acton-Boxborough finishes the 2021 season with a 4-1 dual meet record, third-place at the Amherst Invitational, second-place at the Dual County League Championship, fifth place at Division 1 sectionals, and third place in the Division 1 All-State race.  Additionally, four runners earned DCL All-Star status.